Devices, systems, and methods related to extracting infill from artificial turf

ABSTRACT

A machine for extracting infill from artificial turf includes a first conveyor forming an inclined surface having movable tracks to engage and move a length of artificial turf from a first end to a second end of the machine. A rake disposed on the first end of the machine may include teeth configured to engage an underside of the turf for feeding onto the first conveyer. The machine may also include a first roller disposed above the first conveyor, where the first roller is movable to apply a downward force to a top surface of the first conveyor. The machine may further include a second roller on the second end of the machine, where the second roller includes protrusions that agitate the turf for assisting in removing infill. The machine may also include a second conveyor to receive infill removed from the turf for discharge from the machine.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/430,820 filed on Feb. 13, 2017 and also claims the benefit under 35U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/295,184filed on Feb. 15, 2016, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.62/338,057 filed on May 18, 2016, and U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 62/384,254 filed on Sep. 7, 2016, where the entirecontent of each of the foregoing applications is hereby incorporated byreference.

BACKGROUND

There remains a need for improved devices, systems, and methods relatedto extracting infill from an artificial turf field, e.g., for reuse orrecycling.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings provide visual representations which will beused to more fully describe various representative embodiments and canbe used by those skilled in the art to better understand therepresentative embodiments disclosed and their inherent advantages. Thedrawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placedupon illustrating the principles of the devices, systems, and methodsdescribed herein. In these drawings, like reference numerals identifycorresponding elements.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a machine for extracting infillfrom artificial turf, in accordance with a representative embodiment.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a machine for extracting infillfrom artificial turf, in accordance with a representative embodiment.

FIG. 3 illustrates a rear view of a machine for extracting infill fromartificial turf, in accordance with a representative embodiment.

FIG. 4A illustrates a first end of a machine for extracting infill fromartificial turf, in accordance with a representative embodiment.

FIG. 4B illustrates a first end of a machine for extracting infill fromartificial turf, in accordance with a representative embodiment.

FIG. 5 illustrates a second end of a machine for extracting infill fromartificial turf, in accordance with a representative embodiment.

FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic of a machine for extracting infill fromartificial turf, in accordance with a representative embodiment.

FIG. 7A illustrates an infill discharge of a machine for extractinginfill from artificial turf, in accordance with a representativeembodiment.

FIG. 7B illustrates an infill discharge of a machine for extractinginfill from artificial turf, in accordance with a representativeembodiment.

FIG. 7C illustrates an infill discharge of a machine for extractinginfill from artificial turf, in accordance with a representativeembodiment.

FIG. 8 illustrates a schematic of an infill discharge of a machine forextracting infill from artificial turf, in accordance with arepresentative embodiment.

FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of a machine for extracting infillfrom artificial turf, in accordance with a representative embodiment.

FIG. 10 illustrates a side perspective view of a machine for extractinginfill from artificial turf, in accordance with a representativeembodiment.

FIG. 11 illustrates a front perspective view of a machine for extractinginfill from artificial turf, in accordance with a representativeembodiment.

FIG. 12 illustrates a rear view of a machine for extracting infill fromartificial turf, in accordance with a representative embodiment.

FIG. 13 illustrates a rotation device for a machine for extractinginfill from artificial turf, in accordance with a representativeembodiment.

FIG. 14 illustrates a rear perspective view of a machine for extractinginfill from artificial turf, in accordance with a representativeembodiment.

FIG. 15 illustrates a side view of a turf collection machine, inaccordance with a representative embodiment.

FIG. 16 illustrates a front perspective view of a turf collectionmachine, in accordance with a representative embodiment.

FIG. 17 illustrates a side perspective views of a system for cuttingartificial turf, in accordance with a representative embodiment.

FIG. 18 illustrates a rear view of an apparatus for cutting artificialturf, in accordance with a representative embodiment.

FIG. 19 illustrates a top side perspective view of a system for cuttingartificial turf, in accordance with a representative embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The various methods, systems, apparatus, and devices described hereingenerally provide for infill extraction from artificial turf, and/ormethods, systems, apparatus, and devices related thereto.

While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many differentforms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described indetail specific embodiments, with the understanding that the presentdisclosure is to be considered as an example of the principles of theinvention and not intended to limit the invention to the specificembodiments shown and described. In the description below, likereference numerals are used to describe the same, similar orcorresponding parts in the several views of the drawings.

In this document, relational terms such as first and second, top andbottom, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity oraction from another entity or action without necessarily requiring orimplying any actual such relationship or order between such entities oractions. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” “including,”“has,” “having,” or any other variations thereof, are intended to covera non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, orapparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only thoseelements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherentto such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element preceded by“comprises . . . a” does not, without more constraints, preclude theexistence of additional identical elements in the process, method,article, or apparatus that comprises the element.

Reference throughout this document to “one embodiment,” “certainembodiments,” “an embodiment,” “implementation(s),” “aspect(s),” orsimilar terms means that a particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic described in connection with the embodiment is includedin at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, theappearances of such phrases or in various places throughout thisspecification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics maybe combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments withoutlimitation.

The term “or” as used herein is to be interpreted as an inclusive ormeaning any one or any combination. Therefore, “A, B, or C” means “anyof the following: A; B; C; A and B; A and C; B and C; A, B, and C.” Anexception to this definition will occur only when a combination ofelements, functions, steps or acts are in some way inherently mutuallyexclusive. Also, grammatical conjunctions are intended to express anyand all disjunctive and conjunctive combinations of conjoined clauses,sentences, words, and the like, unless otherwise stated or clear fromthe context. Thus, the term “or” should generally be understood to mean“and/or” and so forth.

All documents mentioned herein are hereby incorporated by reference intheir entirety. References to items in the singular should be understoodto include items in the plural, and vice versa, unless explicitly statedotherwise or clear from the text.

Recitation of ranges of values herein are not intended to be limiting,referring instead individually to any and all values falling within therange, unless otherwise indicated, and each separate value within such arange is incorporated into the specification as if it were individuallyrecited herein. The words “about,” “approximately,” or the like, whenaccompanying a numerical value, are to be construed as indicating adeviation as would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art tooperate satisfactorily for an intended purpose. Ranges of values and/ornumeric values are provided herein as examples only, and do notconstitute a limitation on the scope of the described embodiments. Theuse of any and all examples, or exemplary language (“e.g.,” “such as,”or the like) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminatethe embodiments and does not pose a limitation on the scope of theembodiments. No language in the specification should be construed asindicating any unclaimed element as essential to the practice of theembodiments.

For simplicity and clarity of illustration, reference numerals may berepeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogouselements. Numerous details are set forth to provide an understanding ofthe embodiments described herein. The embodiments may be practicedwithout these details. In other instances, well-known methods,procedures, and components have not been described in detail to avoidobscuring the embodiments described. The description is not to beconsidered as limited to the scope of the embodiments described herein.

In the following description, it is understood that terms such as“first,” “second,” “top,” “bottom,” “up,” “down,” “above,” “below,” andthe like, are words of convenience and are not to be construed aslimiting terms.

In general, the devices, systems, and methods described herein may beconfigured for use with artificial turf, and more specifically thedevices, systems, and methods described herein may be configured fortasks related to the removal, recycling, and reuse of artificial turfand its infill for playing fields and the like.

As used herein, “artificial turf” may generally include a surface ofsynthetic fibers made to look like natural grass. Artificial turf may beutilized in playing fields and the like, e.g., fields and surfaces forsports or games originally intended to be played on grass or that are ortypically played on grass, including without limitation football fields(American and otherwise), soccer fields or pitches, baseball fields,softball fields, field hockey fields, lacrosse fields, golf courses,rugby fields, polo fields, cricket fields, croquet courts, tenniscourts, badminton courts, lawn game fields, track and field areas, andthe like. Similarly, artificial turf may also or instead be used onpractice surfaces for sports and games, in parks, in playgrounds, inrecreational areas, and the like. Artificial turf may also or instead beutilized in non-sport or non-game related applications including withoutlimitation in landscaping, in airports, and the like.

In general, artificial turf may include a base, fibers that emulatenatural grass extending from the base, and infill.

The base may include a polypropylene material or the like to which thefibers are attached. The base may include one or more base layers, forexample a backing layer with weep holes or the like for connecting tothe fibers, an energy pad or shock pad, and a leveling layer. In someinstances, one or more of the energy pad or elastic layer, a levelinglayer, or a drainage layer are separate from the artificial turf.Devices, systems, and techniques described herein may provide forcutting or removing the artificial turf without damaging any padding orlayers disposed beneath the artificial turf.

The fibers (sometimes referred to as “blades”) may include one or moreof straight fibers, curly fibers, bent fibers, fibers with one or moreloops, or any combination thereof. The fibers may be made from one ormore of polyethylene, polypropylene, nylon, other polymers,plant-derived cellulose, and the like. The fibers may be manufacturedsuch that they form a pile on the base, where the pile can generally bemanufactured to various lengths depending on a use of the artificialturf. Thus, the typical fiber length and system characteristics may bedetermined by the specific activity requirements of the artificial turf.

The infill may include a granular filler, e.g., where the granularfiller aids in the artificial turf resembling natural turf. To this end,the synthetic fibers blades may be interspersed with infill—a top soilcreated with one or more of sand, granules of rubber (e.g., recycledrubber), or other infill materials that can provide a desired stability,uniformity, and resiliency for the artificial turf. In animplementation, it is intended that each fiber stands above the infillmaterial.

When infill comprises granulated rubber, sometimes referred to as “crumbrubber,” it is often made from recycled tires, e.g., car tires and trucktires. The infill may include one or more of ambient and cryogenicrubber. The infill may also or instead include without limitation one ormore of coated rubber, ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM), organicmaterial, silica, coated silica, thermoplastic elastomers (TPE), and thelike.

The infill may be placed on an artificial turf field in predeterminedquantities. In some implementations, about nine pounds of infill is usedfor about every square foot of artificial turf. More or less infill mayalso or instead be used, where such quantities may be dependent on a useof the artificial turf. When the infill is removed from the artificialturf (e.g., when the infill requires replacement or otherwise), theinfill may be recycled, e.g., for asphalt products and the like. Becauseof the amount of infill present in artificial turf fields, and theweight and mass associated therewith, it may be desirous to remove theinfill when removing an artificial turf field, replacing an artificialturf field, performing maintenance on an artificial turf field,demolishing an artificial turf field, and performing other tasksassociated with the artificial turf field or the infill itself.

Implementations may include devices, systems, and methods for performingone or more of the following functions, which are provided by way ofexample and not of limitation: cutting an artificial turf field intostrips to facilitate its removal, removing infill from strips ofartificial turf, configuring strips of artificial turf for transport(i.e., collecting strips of artificial turf), repairing artificial turfand grooming repaired sections of artificial turf, and the like.

Cutting an artificial turf field into strips may facilitate its removal,e.g., from a field or from its base layers. Cutting an artificial turffield may be advantageously performed in a manner such that theartificial turf can be removed from any padding or other layers disposedbeneath the artificial turf without causing any damage to (or minimizingdamage to) any such layers. Cutting an artificial turf field into stripsto facilitate its removal may also or instead include cutting theartificial turf in a manner that can facilitate its reuse. This mayinclude cutting the turf into strips or lengths that includesubstantially straight edges for attaching to other strips of artificialturf when reusing the artificial turf. This may also or instead includecutting the artificial turf into strips having a predetermined widthselected for reuse. The predetermined width may include a maximum widthfor one or more of infill removal, configuring the artificial turf fortransport, transporting the artificial turf, applying the artificialturf for reuse, and the like. In an implementation, a maximum width ispreferred because this maximum width translates into less seams (orjoints) to be joined together when reassembling an artificial turffield. In other words, maximizing the width of strips of artificial turfmay minimize the number of seams in a field. In an implementation, it isdesirous for strips of artificial turf to have a width of about 12 feet,which minimizes seams when reassembling the artificial turf while stillallowing the 12-foot-wide strips to be configured for transport. Othersizes of the strips of artificial turf are also or instead possible.

Removing infill from artificial turf may be used for recycling or reuseof the infill, or to lighten the weight and reduce the mass of theartificial turf, e.g., for transport. For example, where the infillincludes granulated rubber, it may be desirous to collect the rubberfrom an artificial turf field for recycling. Implementations describedherein may provide for the removal of infill from strips of artificialturf for collection of the infill for reuse or recycling, where removalof the infill does not substantially damage the artificial turf suchthat the artificial turf can be reused. In an implementation, aftercutting the artificial turf into strips, the infill is removed; once theinfill is removed, the artificial turf is collected and configured fortransport; and once configured for transport, the artificial turf istransported for reuse or otherwise.

As used herein, unless stated to the contrary, “removing infill fromartificial turf,” “extracting infill from artificial turf,” and the likemay include completely removing infill, removing a majority of infill,removing a predetermined percentage of infill, partially removinginfill, and so on.

Infill that is removed from artificial turf may be placed intocontainers. The containers may include without limitation one or more ofbags, sacks, bins, truck beds (e.g., dumping beds of dump trucks),boxes, shipping containers, and the like. For example, infill may beremoved from artificial turf and directed into bags that holdapproximately one ton of infill. The bags may be structurally configuredfor use with one or more machines for removing infill such as thosedescribed herein, where the bags are also or instead structurallyconfigured for ease of transport. For example, the bags may have handlesor the like for lifting, moving, dropping, or placing the bags in adesired location.

Configuring strips or lengths of artificial turf for transport mayinclude collecting the artificial turf into a roll or the like forfacilitating placement of the strips or lengths of artificial turf ontoa truck bed or other vehicle for transport. To this end, configuringstrips of artificial turf for transport may include rolling the stripsof artificial turf into a bale or the like.

Repairing artificial turf may include grooming a repaired section of theartificial turf such that the repaired section is not visible, i.e., sothat it substantially blends in with the remainder of an artificial turffield.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a machine for extracting infillfrom artificial turf, in accordance with a representative embodiment.The machine 100 for extracting infill from artificial turf 102 mayinclude a rake 110, a first conveyor 120, a first roller 130, a secondroller 140, and a second conveyor (not shown in FIG. 1).

The rake 110 may be disposed on a first end 104 of the machine 100. Thefirst end 104 of the machine 100 may be the front of the machine 100,where a length (i.e., a strip) of artificial turf 102 is loaded onto thefront of the machine 100 for extracting infill from the artificial turf102.

The rake 110 may include one or more teeth 112. One or more of the teeth112 may be structurally configured to engage an underside of the lengthof artificial turf 102 for feeding the artificial turf 102 onto thefirst conveyer 120, e.g., one or more of the teeth 112 may include aninclined top surface for engaging an underside of the length ofartificial turf 102 for feeding the artificial turf 102 onto the firstconveyer 120. Thus, in an implementation, the rake 110 may lift theartificial turf 102 for feeding the artificial turf 102 onto the firstconveyer 120, and more specifically onto tracks or feed chains includedon the first conveyer 120. In an implementation, one or more of theteeth 112 of the rake 110 may be substantially tapered or wedge-shaped,where the rake 110 acts as a spatula or the like to lift the artificialturf 102 for feeding the artificial turf 102 onto the first conveyer120.

The rake 110 may be engaged with a first positioner 114 included on themachine 100. The first positioner 114 may be controllable via acontroller 108 to move the rake 110 into engagement with the undersideof the length of artificial turf 102. The first positioner 114 may becontrollable to adjust a tilt angle of the rake 110 relative to thefirst end 104 of the machine 100. In other words, the first positioner114 may be structurally configured to rotate the rake 110 about a firstaxis 180, where the teeth 112 of the rake 110 correspondingly move inthe direction of the first arrows 181. The first positioner 114 may alsoor instead be controllable to adjust a distance between the one or moreteeth 112 and the first conveyor 120 (e.g., the first positioner 114 mayextend the rake 110 out from the first end 104 of the machine 100 forengagement with the artificial turf 102, i.e., substantiallyperpendicular to the first axis 180 in a direction of the second arrows182). In implementations, the first positioner 114 may be structurallyconfigured to move the entire structure of the rake 110, e.g., in thedirection of the first arrows 181 or in the direction of the secondarrows 182. In other implementations, the first positioner 114 may bestructurally configured to move one or more teeth 112 of the rake 110,e.g., in the direction of the first arrows 181 or in the direction ofthe second arrows 182, independent from the structure of the rake 110.The first positioner 114 may include without limitation one or more ofan actuator (e.g., a hydraulic actuator such as a hydraulicpiston/cylinder), a motor, a pulley, a conveyor, a gear, a belt, achain, and the like.

The first conveyor 120 may form an inclined surface 122 between thefirst end 104 of the machine 100 and a second end 106 of the machine100. The inclined surface 122 may include an angle of about 30 degreesrelative to a surface upon which the machine 100 is disposed or ahorizontal axis 184 disposed through the machine 100. The first conveyor120 may include one or more tracks 124 that are movable along theinclined surface 122 from the first end 104 of the machine 100 to thesecond end 106 of the machine 100. The tracks 124 may each bestructurally configured to engage the artificial turf 102 and to movethe artificial turf 102 from the first end 104 of the machine 100 to thesecond end 106 of the machine 100, i.e., in the direction shown by thethird arrow 186. In an implementation, the one or more tracks 124 of thefirst conveyor 120 are disposed on one or more chains 126, whererotation of the one or more chains 126 by a drive gear 127 causesmovement of the one or more tracks 124, e.g., from the first end 104 ofthe machine 100 to the second end 106 of the machine 100 on the top ofthe inclined surface 122 of the first conveyor 120. In implementations,the first conveyor 120 forms a continuous track around one or moregears, where at least one of the gears is driven by a motor (such as theone or more motors 128 shown in the figure). The tracks 124 may also orinstead be integral with a conveyor belt or the like, or formed on a topsurface of a conveyor belt or the like.

The first roller 130 may in general be disposed above the first conveyor120. The first roller 130 may be attached to the machine 100 such thatit is movable to apply a downward force to a top surface (i.e., theinclined surface 122) of the first conveyor 120. This downward force,which may be directed as shown by the fourth arrow 188, may promote anengagement of the artificial turf 102 and the one or more tracks 124when the artificial turf 102 is disposed between the first roller 130and the first conveyor 120 as shown in the figure. In other words, thefirst roller 130 may apply a predetermined amount of force or pressureto the artificial turf 102 to assist in an engagement of the artificialturf 102 and the tracks 124 of the first conveyor 120. In this manner,the first roller 130 may be considered to be a counter-pressure roller.The first roller 130 may be freely rotatable, i.e., such that it rotatesas the artificial turf 102 moves up the inclined surface 122 of thefirst conveyor 120 from the first end 104 of the machine 100 to thesecond end 106 of the machine 100. Rotation of the first roller 130 mayalso or instead be mechanically driven, e.g., provided by a motor andcontrolled by a controller 108. In an implementation, the first roller130 is freely rotatable and the downward force applied by the firstroller 130 to the top surface of the first conveyor 120 is provided bythe weight of the first roller 130.

The first roller 130 may be engaged with a second positioner 132included on the machine 100. The second positioner 132 may becontrollable via the controller 108 (or a different controller) to movethe first roller 130 relative to the first conveyor 120 for adjustingthe force applied to the top surface of the first conveyor 120. In thismanner, the first roller 130 may be pivotally attached to the machine100 so that it can swing up and down relative to the inclined surface122. This movement may be accomplished by pivoting the first roller 130about a pivot point 190, e.g., using the second positioner 132. Thesecond positioner 132 may also or instead be controllable to move thefirst roller 130 to disengage from the top surface of the first conveyor120 when the length of artificial turf 102 remains engaged with thefirst conveyor 120 without the force being applied to the top surface ofthe first conveyor 120. The second positioner 132 may also or instead becontrollable to move the first roller 130 along a length of the firstconveyor 120 between the first end 104 of the machine 100 and the secondend 106 of the machine 100, e.g., forward and backward along theinclined surface 122. In other words, the first roller 130 may assist,supplement, or replace the tracks 124 of the first conveyor 120.

The first roller 130 may provide certain advantages over systems of theprior art, which typically include a counter chain disposed above aconveyor. These advantages may include without limitation: simplifyingthe design of the machine 100, preventing jamming (e.g., of theartificial turf 102, the chain 126, or the tracks 124), stabilizing aposition or orientation of the artificial turf 102, preventing theartificial turf 102 from forming folds or wrinkles, providing apredetermined pressure that is substantially consistent along an entirewidth or a substantial portion of the artificial turf 102, rollingfreely without a mechanical drive (although, in an implementation, thefirst roller 130 may be rotatably driven as discussed above), andcombinations thereof.

The second positioner 132 may include without limitation one or more ofan actuator (e.g., a hydraulic actuator such as a hydraulicpiston/cylinder), a motor, a pulley, a conveyor, a gear, a belt, achain, and the like. In an implementation, the second positioner and thefirst positioner are the same component. The second positioner 132 andthe first positioner 114 may instead be separate components as shown inthe figure. The second positioner 132 and the first positioner 114 maybe driven by the one or more motors 128—e.g., the second positioner 132and the first positioner 114 may be driven by the same motor ordifferent motors.

The second roller 140 may be disposed on the second end 106 of themachine 100. The second roller 140 may be structurally configured torotatably engage with the length of artificial turf 102 beingtransported by the first conveyor 120. The second roller 140 may includeone or more protrusions that agitate the artificial turf 102 forassisting in the removal of infill from the artificial turf 102. Inother words, the second roller 140 may agitate the artificial turf 102,where the protrusions essentially “beat” against the artificial turf 102(e.g., the underside of the artificial turf 102) thereby urging theinfill to be removed from the artificial turf 102. In this manner, thesecond roller 140 may be considered to be a “beater roller.”

The second roller 140 may be configured within the machine 100 such thatgravity also or instead assists in the removal of the infill. Forexample, and as shown in the figure, the artificial turf 102 may beupended by the teeth 112 of the rake 110 and directed onto the firstconveyor 120. The first roller 130 may then apply a force onto the topof the artificial turf 102 to promote an engagement of the artificialturf 102 and the tracks 124 of the first conveyor 120 for moving theartificial turf 102 from the first end 104 of the machine 100 to thesecond end 106 of the machine 100. When the artificial turf 102 reachesthe second end 106 of the machine 100, the underside of the artificialturf 102 may engage with the second roller 140, where the second roller140 rotates moving the artificial turf 102 over (and at least partiallyaround) the second roller 140. As the second roller 140 rotates, theprotrusions may agitate the artificial turf 102 urging the infill to beextracted from the artificial turf 102. Also, because the artificialturf 102 may be traversing at least partially around the second roller140, the second roller 140 may be aligned in a manner such thatgravitational force urges the infill to fall from the artificial turf102 (e.g., the artificial turf 102 may be disposed substantiallyupside-down at some point about the second roller 140 or otherwisewithin the machine 100).

The second roller 140 may be rotatable independent of movement of thefirst conveyor 120, e.g., rotation of chains 126 included in the firstconveyor 120. In this manner, the second roller 140 may rotate at adifferent rotational velocity than the first conveyor 120. In animplementation, the second roller 140 rotates substantially faster thanthe rotation of the tracks 124 of the first conveyor 120 in order tobetter facilitate agitation of the artificial turf 102 for infillextraction. For example, the second roller 140 may rotate at about twicethe rotational speed of the tracks 124. Rotation of the second roller140 may be provided by the controller 108 (or a different controller)and a motor (e.g., of the one or more motors 128 shown in the figure).The second roller 140 may also or instead be rotatable independent ofmovement of the first roller 130.

The second conveyor may be disposed near the second roller 140, e.g.,the second conveyor may be disposed beneath the second roller 140 toreceive infill removed from the artificial turf 102. The second conveyormay include a surface structurally configured to transport the infillfor discharge from the machine 100, e.g., a movable surface or a surfacethat directs the infill using gravity.

The machine 100 may include additional rollers or the like that areconfigured to engage the artificial turf 102 in order to align theartificial turf 102 for depositing back onto a playing surface after theinfill has been removed. In an implementation, the second roller 140 isconfigured to direct the length of artificial turf 102 for dischargefrom the machine 100, e.g., to the additional rollers or the likedescribed above.

The machine 100 may further include a third conveyor 160. The thirdconveyor 160 may be disposed adjacent to or otherwise in communicationwith the second conveyor—e.g., in an implementation, the third conveyor160 is an extension of the second conveyor or vice-versa. The thirdconveyor 160 may be disposed at an angle along a z-axis 192 relative tothe second conveyor. The third conveyor 160 may include a surfacestructurally configured to transport the infill from a first heightlocated at an interface with the second conveyor to a second heightlocated above the first height along the z-axis, e.g., a movable surfacefor transporting the infill. The machine 100 may further include a chuteengaged with the third conveyor 160 at the second height. The chute maybe structurally configured for engagement with a container that receivesinfill extracted by the machine 100. The chute may also or instead bestructurally configured for depositing infill into a vehicle, e.g., adump truck or the like operating tandem to the machine 100.

The machine 100 and its components may be structurally configured toaccommodate the removal of infill from strips of artificial turf 102having a predetermined width, e.g., a width of about 12 feet. Forexample, in an implementation, a width of the first conveyor 120 isselected to accommodate engagement with strips of artificial turf 102having a width of about 12 feet. In another implementation, the machine100 as a whole includes a predetermined maximum width, e.g., apredetermined maximum width of about 12 feet. The machine 100 and itscomponents may also or instead be structurally configured to accommodatestrips of artificial turf 102 having widths ranging from about two feetto about 12 feet.

The machine 100 may enable an entire football-sized field (or similarlysized field) of artificial turf to have its infill removed in about 4-5hours. The machine 100 may be capable of filling one container or bag(e.g., containing about two thousand pounds of infill) in a range oftime substantially equal to about three seconds to about three minutes.The machine 100 may be operable to remove infill from artificial turf102 in wet, dry, and damp conditions.

The machine 100 and its components may be structurally configured toapply a relatively low ground pressure to avoid damage to any baselayer(s) on an artificial turf field.

As referenced above, the machine 100 may include one or more controllers108. The one or more controllers 108 may be configured to control one ormore of: movement of the one or more tracks 124 of the first conveyor120, movement of the rake 110 or its teeth 112, movement of the firstroller 130, rotation of the first roller 130, rotation of the secondroller 140, movement of the second conveyor and its movable surface,movement of the third conveyor 160 and its movable surface, and movementof the chute. The one or more controllers 108 may include user-operatedcontrols, such as those found on construction equipment known in theart. In an implementation, the one or more controllers 108 are includedin a control station or the like for operation by a user. The controlstation may be a remote station or a control station included on, orphysically connected to, the machine 100.

The one or more controllers 108 may be electrically coupled in acommunicating relationship with any of the components of the machine 100described herein. The one or more controllers 108 may include aprocessor 109 and a memory 111, e.g., for automatic control of themachine 100. For example, the one or more controllers 108 may includeany combination of software and/or processing circuitry suitable forcontrolling the various components of the machine 100 (or any systemsdescribed herein) including without limitation processors,microprocessors, microcontrollers, application-specific integratedcircuits, programmable gate arrays, and any other digital and/or analogcomponents, as well as combinations of the foregoing, along with inputsand outputs for transceiving control signals, drive signals, powersignals, sensor signals, and the like.

The machine 100 may include one or more wheels 170 for maneuvering themachine 100, and a motor for driving the one or more wheels 170. Asshown in the figure, the one or more wheels 170 may include continuoustracks or the like.

The machine 100 may be part of a system for removing, recycling, andreusing artificial turf and its infill.

In an embodiment, the first end 104 of the machine 100 may include acutter that cuts the artificial turf 102 into strips. The cutter may bedisposed on, or otherwise engaged with, the rake 110. The cutter mayalso or instead assist, supplement, or replace the rake 110.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a machine for extracting infillfrom artificial turf, in accordance with a representative embodiment. Inthis figure, an embodiment of the chute 162 is shown on the machine 100.The figure also clearly shows the second roller 140.

FIG. 3 illustrates a rear view of a machine for extracting infill fromartificial turf, in accordance with a representative embodiment. In thisfigure, an embodiment of the chute 162 is shown on the machine 100, aswell as a control station 308, and a drive motor 328 for moving theentire machine 100.

The chute 162 may include one or more guiding structures 364structurally configured for directing infill that is removed fromartificial turf. As shown in the figure, the guiding structures 364 mayinclude a structure or housing that directs the infill in a desireddirection—downward in the figure. The guiding structures 364 may also orinstead include tubing or the like for directing the infill.

The control station 308 may include one or more controls 310 (e.g.,levers or the like), a user interface 312, and a designated area 314 foran operator. The control station 308 may provide an operator withcontrol over one or more components of the machine 100, e.g., throughthe one or more controls 310 or the user interface 312. For example, thecontrol station 308 may provide an operator with control over movementof the entire machine 100, e.g., by controlling a throttle incommunication with the drive motor 328 for driving the wheels 170 of themachine 100 and/or for steering the wheels 170 of the machine 100. Thecontrol station 308 may also or instead provide an operator with controlover one or more of the following, which are provided by way of exampleand not of limitation: the first positioner, the second positioner, theone or more motors 128, the first conveyor, the second conveyor, thethird conveyor, the second roller, the chute 162, the guiding structures364, and so on.

The drive motor 328 may be configured to provide power to move theentire machine 100 (e.g., by driving the wheels 170 of the machine 100)or a component thereof

FIG. 4A illustrates a first end of a machine for extracting infill fromartificial turf, in accordance with a representative embodiment. In thisfigure, an embodiment of the rake 110 and the first roller 130 areclearly shown. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4A, the rake 110 includesteeth 112 that are each substantially the same. In other embodiments,however, one or more of the teeth 112 may be different—e.g., havingdifferent shapes, sizes, orientations, and the like—and/or one or moreof the teeth 112 may be independently controllable from one another.FIG. 4A also clearly shows the tracks 124 and chains 126 of the firstconveyor 120.

FIG. 4B illustrates a first end of a machine for extracting infill fromartificial turf, in accordance with a representative embodiment. In thisfigure, an embodiment of the rake 410 is shown that includes teeth 412where one or more of the teeth 412 are different from one another. Forexample, the rake 410 may include first teeth 413 and second teeth 415having different shapes—as shown in the figure, the first teeth 413 maybe substantially triangular and the second teeth 415 may bewedge-shaped, where the second teeth 415 have a large surface area thanthe first teeth 413. The teeth 412 may be connected via a bar 417.

FIG. 5 illustrates a second end of a machine for extracting infill fromartificial turf, in accordance with a representative embodiment. Asshown in the figure, the second end 106 of the machine may include oneor more flaps 152 (or similar structures) for directing infill after itis extracted by the second roller 140, e.g., onto the second conveyor150. The machine may also or instead include guides 172 disposedthroughout the path traversed by the artificial turf through the machinefor guiding the artificial turf and preventing jamming of the artificialturf. FIG. 5 also clearly shows the protrusions 142 on the second roller140.

FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic of a machine for extracting infill fromartificial turf, in accordance with a representative embodiment. Themachine 600 may include one or more subsystems, e.g., a first subsystem610 for extracting infill from artificial turf and a second subsystem620 for the collection of the infill extracted from the artificial turf.The arrows 602 in the figure generally depict a path that a length ofartificial turf may traverse through the machine 600.

The first subsystem 610 may be the same or similar to any of themachines described herein for extracting infill from artificial turf.For example, the first subsystem 610 may include a rake, a firstconveyor, a first roller, and a second roller. Infill may be extractedfrom the artificial turf where it falls onto or is otherwise directed tothe second subsystem 620, and more particularly a second conveyor 622 ofthe second subsystem 620.

The second subsystem 620 may be structurally configured for thecollection of infill extracted from artificial turf (e.g., by the firstsubsystem 610), where the second subsystem 620 includes a secondconveyor 622, a third conveyor 624, a depositor 626, and a collectionbin 628. The infill may travel from the first subsystem 610 to thesecond conveyor 622, then to the third conveyor 624, through thedepositor 626, and into the collection bin 628.

The second conveyor 622 may be the same or similar to the secondconveyor 150 described above with reference to FIG. 1, or elsewhereherein. The second conveyor 622 (or any of the conveyors describedherein) may include any type of conveyor system known in the art formoving materials such as infill from one location to another, e.g., abelt conveyor system with two or more drums (which may include pulleys,gears, rollers, and the like) and a continuous loop of a carrying mediumsuch as a conveyor belt that rotates about the drums. One or more of thedrums may be powered by a motor that rotates the drums and drives thecarrying medium. The second conveyor 622 may also or instead includeother types of conveyors, e.g., screw conveyors or auger conveyors.

In an implementation, the second conveyor 622 includes two or moreconveyors in series. In another implementation, the second conveyor 622includes at least two conveyors that rotate in opposite directions,e.g., to feed the infill to a central location of the machine 600. Thesecond conveyor 622 may be substantially horizontally aligned within themachine 600. In another implementation, the second conveyor 622 includesone or more conveyors disposed at angles relative to a horizontal axis,e.g., so as to funnel the infill into a predetermined location usinggravity (e.g., mechanically assisted or completely gravity-fed). Thus,in an implementation, the second conveyor 622 or any of the otherconveyors described herein may include, or may be supplemented orreplaced by, an inclined pathway, a funnel, or another similarnon-motorized pathway for the infill—e.g., a pathway that utilizesgravitational forces to direct the infill.

The second conveyor 622 may receive the infill from the first subsystem610 for directing the infill to the third conveyor 624.

The third conveyor 624 may be the same or similar to the third conveyor160 described above with reference to FIG. 1. In an implementation, thethird conveyor 624 includes a screw conveyor or the like. The screwconveyor may utilize a rotating helical screw (sometimes referred to asa “fighting”) within a housing (e.g., a substantially cylindrical tube)to transport the infill from a first location to a second location. Thefirst location and the second location may be disposed at differentelevations. In this manner, the third conveyor 624 may transport theinfill to a z-axis position greater than a z-axis position of the secondconveyor 622 or a portion thereof (e.g., a convergence area 623 for theinfill within the second conveyor 622). The third conveyor 624 may beengaged with the depositor 626 at the second location. The thirdconveyor 624 and the depositor 626 may form a chute, e.g., the same orsimilar chute 162 as described above with reference to FIG. 1.

The third conveyor 624 may receive the infill from the second conveyor622 for directing the infill to the depositor 626 and into one or morecollection bins 628. In an implementation, the second conveyor 622 andthe third conveyor 624 are combined into a single conveyor system.

The depositor 626 may be in communication with the third conveyor 624,where the depositor 626 forms a pathway for discharging the infill froman end of the third conveyor 624 to one or more collection bins 628. Thedepositor 626 may be adjustable and controllable—e.g., one or more of asize, a shape, and a position of the depositor 626 may be adjustable andcontrollable. For example, a length of the depositor 626 may beadjustable and controllable. The position of the depositor 626 may alsoor instead be adjustable and controllable, along multiple axes. Thedepositor 626 may include, or otherwise be formed by, guiding structures364 such as those described with reference to FIG. 3. In animplementation, one or more of the third conveyor 624 and the depositor626 are positionable for alignment with one or more collection bins 628.

The collection bin 628 may be structurally configured to receive infillfrom the depositor 626. The collection bin 628 may include a containeror the like for the infill including without limitation a bag, a sack(e.g., a “super sack” as known in the art), a basket, a bin, a bucket, abox, a truck bed, and the like. The collection bin 628 may bestructurally configured to receive a predetermined amount of infill,where the predetermined amount of infill is based on one or more ofvolume and weight. In an implementation, the collection bin 628 isstructurally configured to receive about two thousand pounds of infill.

FIG. 7A illustrates an infill discharge of a machine for extractinginfill from artificial turf, in accordance with a representativeembodiment. The infill discharge 700 may be the same or similar to thesecond subsystem 620 described above, or it may be different. The infilldischarge 700 may include a second conveyor 750 disposed under thesecond roller 740, a chute 762, and a depositor 726. Specifically, inimplementations, the infill discharge 700 includes a chute 762 incommunication with a depositor 726 formed by one or more guidingstructures 764.

FIG. 7B illustrates an infill discharge of a machine for extractinginfill from artificial turf, in accordance with a representativeembodiment. Again, the infill discharge 7000 may be the same or similarto the second subsystem 620 described above, or it may be different.Here, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 7B, the infill discharge 7000includes a chute 7062 in communication with a depositor 7026 formed by aguiding structure 7064 having a generally tubular shape for directinginfill into a desired location, e.g., a container such as a bag.

The infill discharge 7000 may include one or more supports, e.g., afirst support 7010 and a second support 7020. In implementations, one ormore of the first support 7010 and the second support 7020 are movableusing one or more positioners such as any as described herein, e.g.,hydraulic actuators, pulleys, gears, and so on. Movement of one or moreof the first support 7010 and the second support 7020 may provide formovement of one or more of the chute 7062, depositor 7026, and theguiding structure 7064, along one or more of an x-axis 7001, a y-axis7003, and a z-axis 7005. Movement of one or more of the first support7010 and the second support 7020 may also or instead provide forrotation or translation of one or more components of the infilldischarge 7000. The infill discharge 7000 may include one or morecontainer supports as further described below.

FIG. 7C illustrates an infill discharge of a machine for extractinginfill from artificial turf, in accordance with a representativeembodiment. This figure shows an alternate view of the infill discharge7000 described above, where container supports 7070 are clearly shown.Specifically, in an implementation, an infill discharge 7000 includes anumber of container supports 7070 structurally configured to engage witha corresponding number of handles 7082 of a container 7080, e.g., atleast four container supports 7070 structurally configured to engagewith at least four handles 7082 of a container 7080 (e.g., a bag).

Each of the container supports 7070 may be positionable between a firstposition for holding the container 7080 via its handles 7082 and asecond position (shown in FIG. 7C) for releasing the container 7080. Thepositioning of the container supports 7070 may be provided by one ormore positioners, such as any as described herein.

FIG. 8 illustrates a schematic of an infill discharge of a machine forextracting infill from artificial turf, in accordance with arepresentative embodiment. Specifically, this figure illustrates anembodiment of a second subsystem 820, which may be the same or similarto the second subsystem 620 described above with reference to FIG. 6.The second subsystem 820 may include a second conveyor 822, a thirdconveyor 824, a chute 826, and one or more collection bins 828 or othercontainers.

As shown in the figure, the chute 826 may be movable to direct theinfill into the one or more collection bins 828. For example, in oneimplementation, the chute 826 is structurally configured to move withtwo-degrees of freedom. In another implementation, the chute 826 isstructurally configured to move with three-degrees of freedom. Othercomponents of the second subsystem 820 may also or instead bestructurally configured to move such as the second conveyor 822 (e.g.,the second conveyor 822 may be positionable to have an end disposed incommunication with an end of the third conveyor 824), the third conveyor824 (e.g., the third conveyor 824 may be positionable to align the chute826 for depositing infill into a collection bin 828), and the one ormore collection bins 828.

The collection bins 828 may be placed into a receiving area 830configured to receive the infill from the chute 826. The receiving area830 may be structurally configured for receiving one or more of thecollection bins 828. The collection bins 828 may be movable within thereceiving area 830, e.g., to form a queue for receiving the infill fromthe chute 826. Once a collection bin 828 is full of infill (or infillwithin the collection bin 828 reaches a desired amount, e.g., based onweight or volume), the collection bin 828 may be removed from thereceiving area 830.

The chute 826 may continue to deposit infill while switching betweencollection bins 828, e.g., in an implementation where the receiving area830 is configured to hold more than one collection bin 828. For example,two or more collection bins 828 may be disposed directly adjacent to oneanother within the receiving area 830, and the chute 826 may switch fromdepositing infill from a first collection bin to a second collection binthrough movement of one or more of the chute 826, the third conveyor824, or the collection bins 828 themselves.

A collection bin 828 may be removed from the receiving area 830 throughreleasing an engagement between the collection bin 828 and the machine,e.g., an engagement between the collection bin 828 and one or moreelements forming a support structure for the receiving area 830 (e.g.,beams, braces, or the like). Releasing an engagement between thecollection bin 828 and the machine may cause the collection bin 828 todrop onto a surface or area disposed below the receiving area 830, e.g.,a field in which infill is being removed from artificial turf. Thecollection bin 828 may be replaced automatically or manually (e.g., byan operator of the machine, or by a technician following the machine).

FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of a machine for extracting infillfrom artificial turf, in accordance with a representative embodiment.The machine 900 may be similar to those discussed elsewhere herein,e.g., with reference to FIG. 1 above, but the machine 900 shown in FIG.9 may include additional features.

These additional features may include, for example, design features thatenable the machine 900 to rotate or swivel, e.g., anywhere from 0degrees to 360 degrees. For example, in an implementation, the machine900 is capable of rotating at least about 90 degrees, which mayadvantageously allow the machine 900 to maneuver into confined spaces ortight quarters (e.g., through a door, a gate, a fence opening, or thelike). To this end, the machine 900 may include wheels 970 (e.g.,continuous tracks) that are spaced apart by a distance less than orequal to a minimum length of the first conveyor portion 920 of themachine 900 (e.g., the conveyor portion for transporting artificial turffrom a front end 904 to a back end 906 of the machine 900). This minimumlength may be a length of one of the front, the back, the right side, orthe left side of the first conveyor portion 920 of the machine 900. Inan implementation, the wheels 970 are spaced apart by a distance lessthan or equal to a width of the side 902 of the first conveyor portionof the machine 900, where the width of the side 902 of the firstconveyor portion 920 of the machine 900 is less than the width of thefront end 904 or back end 906 of the first conveyor portion 920 of themachine 900. In this manner, if the first conveyor portion 920 of themachine 900 is rotated about 90 degrees from the position shown in thefigure (such that it is facing sideways instead of facing forward), themachine 900 would be able to fit through smaller spaces without a needfor maneuvering or turning of the wheels 970. For example, in animplementation, the machine 900 has a maximum first width W1 along itsfront end 904 (or back end 906) of about 10-12 feet, and a maximumsecond width W2 along its side 902 (e.g., right side and left side) ofless than about 8.5 feet (other dimensions are also or insteadpossible). In other words, if, in the figure shown, the first width W1(e.g., the width of the front of the machine 900) is about 12 feet, butthe second width W2 (e.g., the width of the sides) and the spacingbetween the wheels 970 is about 8 feet, rotating the top of the machine900 about the wheels 970 such that a plane of the side 902 of themachine 900 was substantially perpendicular to the direction of travelof the wheels 970, the machine 900 would be able to fit through openingsof about 8.5 feet, which may a be a common width of gates for turffields. Conversely, if the machine 900 were not rotated, the machine 900may only be able to fit through openings that are greater than about 12feet.

By way of another example, the machine 900 may be capable of rotatingsubstantially 180 degrees, which may advantageously allow the machine900 to reverse the direction in which it is collecting infill withouthaving to turn around using the wheels 970. In this manner, the machine900 may travel in a first direction, stop, rotate substantially 180degrees, reverse the direction of the wheels 970 (but without turning,e.g., reverse a direction of the continuous track), and then travel in asecond direction that is substantially opposite the first direction. Inembodiments including relatively large or otherwise cumbersome machines900, the ability to rotate in this manner may save valuable time thatwould otherwise be spent turning the entire machine 900 using only thewheels 970. In an implementation, turning the machine 900 isaccomplished using a combination of turning the wheels 970 and rotatingthe first conveyor portion 920 of the machine 900 as described herein.

The rotation or swiveling of the machine 900 may be provided by a motor(e.g., a separate motor from the drive motor of the machine 900 or thesame motor) that turns one or more gears engaged with the bottom of thefirst conveyor portion 920 of the machine 900. In this manner, the firstconveyor portion 920 of the machine 900 may sit upon or otherwise beengaged with a rotatable platform, base, housing, or other structure.Other mechanisms for rotating or swiveling the machine 900 may also orinstead be provided as will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in theart.

Other features of the embodiment shown in FIG. 9 may include, forexample, a steeper inclined surface 922 and two or more rollers (similarto the first roller 130 described with reference to FIG. 1) to apply adownward force to a top surface (i.e., the inclined surface 922) of thefirst conveyor portion 920. The steeper inclined surface 922 may providea reduced depth to the machine 900 (e.g., which in conjunction with therotation described above may allow the machine 900 to fit withinrelatively small openings), and the two or more rollers may providestability for artificial turf disposed along this steeper inclinedsurface 922.

FIG. 10 illustrates a side perspective view of a machine for extractinginfill from artificial turf, in accordance with a representativeembodiment. The embodiment of the machine 1000 shown in FIG. 10 includesa rake 1010 movable via a first positioner 1014, a first conveyor 1020featuring tracks 1024 configured to move artificial turf from a firstend 1004 of the machine 1000 to the second end 1006 of the machine 1000,a first roller 1030, a stabilizer 1034, a vertical conveyor 1060, and acontrol station 1070.

The stabilizer 1034 may be structurally configured to guide or stabilizeartificial turf on the first conveyor 1020, where the stabilizer 1034can be disposed in front of the first roller 1030 as shown in the figureor behind the first roller 1030. The stabilizer 1034 may include a beam,a bar, or another similar structure. The stabilizer 1034 may also orinstead include a roller, e.g., in addition to the first roller 1030.The stabilizer 1034 may also or instead include the first roller 1030.In an implementation, the stabilizer 1034 is movable; in anotherimplementation, the stabilizer 1034 is substantially stationary.

One or more of the first roller 130 and the stabilizer 1034 may bemovable, e.g., via a second positioner 1032. In an implementation, thefirst roller 130 and the stabilizer 1034 are movable via the samepositioner; in another implementation, the first roller 130 and thestabilizer 1034 are movable via a different positioner.

The vertical conveyor 1060 may include a screw conveyor or the like. Thevertical conveyor 1060 may utilize a rotating helical screw within asubstantially cylindrical tube 1062 that is driven by a motor 1064 totransport the infill along a z-axis. The vertical conveyor 1060 mayreceive infill from another conveyor (e.g., the second conveyor asdescribed elsewhere herein) or through other means, e.g., a funnel, apathway, or the like.

The control station 1070 may be physically connected to the machine 1000as shown in the figure. In another implementation, the control stationmay be a remote station. The control station 1070 may be the same orsimilar to that described with reference to FIG. 3 above, including auser interface and one or more controls 1072.

FIG. 11 illustrates a front perspective view of a machine for extractinginfill from artificial turf, in accordance with a representativeembodiment. The machine 1000 shown in FIG. 11 may be the same or similarto that shown in FIG. 10. In FIG. 11, however, the rake 1010, the firstroller 1030, and the stabilizer 1034 may be moved into differentpositions relative to what is shown in FIG. 10. As discussed herein, themovement of one or more of the rake 1010, the first roller 1030, and thestabilizer 1034 may be provided by one or more positioners, e.g., thefirst positioner 1014 and the second positioner 1032.

FIG. 12 illustrates a rear view of a machine for extracting infill fromartificial turf, in accordance with a representative embodiment. Thisfigure shows a machine 1200 featuring a motor 1210 that may be used forrotating the base 1202 of the machine 1200 relative to its wheels 1206,e.g., turning one or more gears engaged with the base 1202 (or otherwisewith the bottom of the first conveyor portion 1204 of the machine 1200)and a subframe 1208 engaged with the wheels 1206 (or otherwise with adrivetrain of the machine 1200).

The base 1202 may be structurally configured for holding the machine1200 generally, or one or more of its components, including withoutlimitation, one or more of the first conveyor, the rake, the firstroller, the second roller, and the second conveyor. The base 1202 may berotatable relative to the subframe 1208 of the machine 1200 via the oneor more gears. The machine 1200 may include a motor 1210 configured todrive rotation of the base 1202 relative to the subframe 1208.

FIG. 13 illustrates a rotation device for a machine for extractinginfill from artificial turf, in accordance with a representativeembodiment. The machine 1200 shown in this figure may be the same orsimilar to that shown and described with reference to FIG. 12. Themachine 1200 may include a motor 1210 for driving one or more gears 1212that rotate the base 1202 of the machine 1200 relative to a subframe1208 engaged with the wheels 1206 of the machine 1200 or otherwise witha drivetrain of the machine 1200. The rotation device may also orinstead provide for rotation of a portion of the machine 1200—the firstconveyor portion or otherwise.

FIG. 14 illustrates a rear perspective view of a machine for extractinginfill from artificial turf, in accordance with a representativeembodiment. This figure may represent a portion of a machine 1400 thatis used for infill collection, e.g., for filling one or more collectionbins as described herein. In particular, infill may be collected in oneor more receiving areas, where two such receiving areas are shown in thefigure—a first receiving area 1410 and a second receiving area 1420.

As shown in the figure, each of the receiving areas may include a holder1430 structurally configured for engagement with a collection bin orcontainer for holding infill discharged from the machine 1400 (e.g., abag to receive infill extracted from artificial turf). In animplementation, the holder 1430 includes one or more arms 1432. The oneor more arms 1432 may be movable from a first position to a secondposition. The first position may be a position where the arms 1432engage with a collection bin by holding it in a receiving posture foraccepting infill extracted from the artificial turf. The second positionmay be a position where the arms 1432 are structurally configured torelease engagement with a collection bin, e.g., by dropping thecollection bin when it becomes filled with a desired amount of infill(e.g., by volume or weight). In an implementation, the machine includesat least two receiving areas such that at least one of the holders 1430is in the first position for accepting infill extracted from theartificial turf while another holder 1430 is in the second position forreleasing a collection bin filled with a desired amount of infill.

Movement of the holder 1430 from the first position to the secondposition (and vice-versa) may be facilitated using an actuator 1434,e.g., a hydraulic actuator or the like that is controlled by acontroller. In an implementation, the actuator 1434 (or controller) mustbe activated by an operator to release engagement with a collection bin.In another implementation, when the collection bin reaches a certainfill volume or weight, the collection bin is automatically released fromengagement with the holder 1430.

In an implementation, one or more holders 1430 may be positioned suchthat a screw conveyor or the like can be positioned to deposit infillwithin a collection bin held in position by the one or more holders1430. For example, a screw conveyor may be adjustable, movable,swivelable, or the like for positioning an outlet end of the screwconveyor above or adjacent to the receiving areas. In this manner, whilein operation, the screw conveyor may deposit infill into a firstreceiving area 1410 including a collection bin held by a first holder inthe first position where the first holder is engaging the collection binin an open state for receiving the infill therein. When the collectionbin reaches a predetermined or otherwise acceptable/desired volume orweight (e.g., when it is full), the screw conveyor may be swiveled orotherwise moved (e.g., manually by an operator, or automatically with acontroller) to deposit infill into a second receiving area 1420 thatincludes another collection bin, e.g., held by a second holder in thefirst position where the second holder is engaging the collection bin inan open state for receiving the infill therein. Once the screw conveyoris moved from depositing in the first receiving area 1410, the firstholder may disengage with the collection bin, e.g., the arms 1432 of thefirst holder may be moved to the second position as described herein torelease the collection bin (e.g., onto the ground for pickup by aseparate machine). The first holder may then be engaged with another(e.g., empty) collection bin (e.g., manually by an operator, orautomatically with a controller) for receiving infill once thecollection bin held by the second holder reaches a predetermined volumeor weight (e.g., it is full). In this manner, the machine 1400 maycontinuously deposit infill within collection bins in operation.

FIG. 15 illustrates a side view of a turf collection machine, inaccordance with a representative embodiment. Specifically, the figureshows a turf collection machine 1500, i.e., a machine for collectinglengths of artificial turf, e.g., by engaging with a length or strip ofartificial turf and “rolling up” or otherwise gathering the length ofartificial turf for collection, transport, recycling, disposal,cleaning, or otherwise. The length of artificial turf may have alreadyhad infill removed from the turf, e.g., using an infill extractionmachine as described above.

The turf collection machine 1500 may include a frame 1502 comprising arear shaft 1504, a first arm 1510, and a second arm 1520. The machine1500 may further include a first collector 1530 disposed on the firstarm 1510 and a second collector 1540 disposed on the second arm 1520,e.g., for collecting a length of artificial turf.

The first arm 1510 and the second arm 1520 may be engaged with the rearshaft 1504, where the second arm 1520 is disposed opposite the first arm1510. The engagement of one or more of the first arm 1510 and the secondarm 1520 with the rear shaft 1504 may include one or more of a hingedengagement (e.g., via a hinge 1506 or the like) and an engagement thatpromotes linear movement of one or more of the first arm 1510 and thesecond arm 1520 relative to the rear shaft 1504, e.g., translation ofthe first arm 1510 and the second arm 1520 along the rear shaft 1504.For example, in an implementation, one or more of the first arm 1510 andthe second arm 1520 include shafts that are inserted into a cavitydisposed within the rear shaft 1504, where one or more of the first arm1510 and the second arm 1520 are configured to slide linearly within thecavity to change a size or shape of the frame 1502. In otherimplementations, one or more of the first arm 1510 and the second arm1520 can slide linearly along the rear shaft 1504 to change a size orshape of the frame 1302, e.g., using rails, racks, sliders, or the like.In other words, in embodiments, the first arm 1510 and the second arm1520 may be structurally configured to move along a longitudinal axis1501 of the rear shaft 1504 of the frame 1502.

One or more of the first arm 1510 and the second arm 1520 may also orinstead be engaged to the rear shaft 1504 via the hinge 1506, such thatone or more of the first arm 1510 and the second arm 1520 can foldinward to a stowed position, e.g., for transport. To this end, each ofthe first arm 1510 and the second arm 1520 may include such a hinge1506. The hinge 1506 may also or instead be located substantiallycentrally along the rear shaft 1504, or in another location along thelength of the rear shaft 1504.

The first arm 1510 and the second arm 1520 may be movable between afirst position in which the first arm 1510 and the second arm 1520 aredisposed a first distance apart from one another along a length of therear shaft 1504 and a second position in which the first arm 1510 andthe second arm 1520 are disposed a second distance apart from oneanother along the length of the rear shaft 1504. The second distance maybe greater than the first distance.

The first position may be a stowed position for the turf collectionmachine 1500. In other words, the first distance may be a distancebetween the first arm 1510 and the second arm 1520 that exists when theturf collection machine 1500 or frame 1502 is disposed in a stowedposition or a stowed state. For example, in the first position, one ormore of the first arm 1510 and the second arm 1520 may be folded inward(e.g., using the hinge 1506 or the like) such that the first arm 1510and the second arm 1520 are substantially adjacent to one another, aretouching, or are linked together.

The first position may also or instead include a position where one ormore of the first arm 1510 and the second arm 1520 are slid to a maximumdepth along or within the rear shaft 1504, e.g., in an embodiment whereone or more of the first arm 1510 and the second arm 1520 can slidelinearly along the rear shaft 1504 (e.g., within a cavity of the rearshaft 1504 or otherwise along a length of the rear shaft 1504) to changea size or shape of the frame 1502.

In an implementation, the first distance is less than or equal to about102 inches.

The second position may be an expanded position for the turf collectionmachine 1500, e.g., a position that includes a distance between thefirst arm 1510 and the second arm 1520 sufficient to collect artificialturf. In an implementation, the second distance is greater than or equalto about 120 inches.

As discussed above, the first arm 1510 and the second arm 1520 may bemovable on the frame 1502. Movement of the first arm 1510 and the secondarm 1520 may include one or more of linear movement (e.g., about thelongitudinal axis 1501 of the rear shaft 1304), pivoting or swingingmovement (e.g., between a position substantially parallel with thelongitudinal axis 1501 of the rear shaft 1304 and a positionsubstantially perpendicular with the longitudinal axis 1501 of the rearshaft 1304), or rotational movement (e.g., about the longitudinal axis1501 of the rear shaft 1304). For example, in an implementation, each ofthe first arm 1510 and the second arm 1520 is movable substantiallylinearly along the length of the rear shaft 1504. The linear movement ofeach of the first arm 1510 and the second arm 1520 may be provided byone or more linear actuators 1512 or the like. As discussed above, eachof the first arm 1510 and the second arm 1520 may be engaged with therear shaft 1504 by insertion into a cavity of the rear shaft 1504, wherelinear movement of each of the first arm 1510 and the second arm 1520 isdisposed along a longitudinal axis 1501 of the rear shaft 1504.

As discussed above, pivoting or swinging movement may be provided by oneor more hinges 1506 or the like disposed on the frame 1502, e.g., therear shaft 1504 of the frame 1502. In an implementation, each of thefirst arm 1510 and the second arm 1520 is engaged with the rear shaft1504 via a hinged connection (e.g., the hinge 1506), where each of thefirst arm 1510 and the second arm 1520 is movable from the firstposition to the second position by a swinging movement using the hingedconnection.

Each of the first arm 1510 and the second arm 1520 may further includean extension 1514 that is adjustable along an axis 1515 that intersectsthe longitudinal axis 1501 of the rear shaft 1504 for moving the firstcollector 1530 and the second collector 1540 relative to the rear shaft1504. Adjustment of the extension 1514 may be provided by one or morelinear actuators or the like.

In an implementation, the first arm 1510 and the second arm 1520 aresubstantially the same. In another implementation, the first arm 1510and the second arm 1520 include different components or features, or aresized and shaped differently relative to one another.

The first collector 1530 may be disposed on the first arm 1510 and thesecond collector 1540 may be disposed on the second arm 1520. The firstcollector 1530 and the second collector 1540 may be rotatable on theframe 1302, e.g., independently from one another. In anotherimplementation, the first collector 1530 and the second collector 1540rotate together or otherwise in a coordinated manner. Rotation of thefirst collector 1530 and the second collector 1540 may be controlled bya controller or the like, such as any as described herein.

The first collector 1530 and the second collector 1540 may each includea turf roller 1532 and a stabilizing finger 1534. This configuration mayprovide for increased strength and stability compared to othercollectors, e.g., collectors that include a plurality of fingers (e.g.,as shown in FIG. 16).

The turf roller 1532 may be structurally configured for artificial turfto be wrapped about a body of the turf roller 1532 when one or more ofthe first collector 1530 and the second collector 1540 are rotated andartificial turf is engaged with one or more of the first collector 1530and the second collector 1540. The turf roller 1532 may include asubstantially cylindrical tube, e.g., the body of the turf roller 1532may be sized and shaped as a substantially cylindrical tube or pipe. Theturf roller 1532 may include a diameter that is greater than about threeinches, e.g., the substantially cylindrical tube may comprise a diameterthat is greater than about three inches.

The stabilizing finger 1534 may be structurally configured forartificial turf to be folded about a body of the stabilizing finger 1534for engagement of the artificial turf with the turf roller 1532. Thestabilizing finger 1534 may also or instead be positioned on the firstcollector 1530 and the second collector 1540 for lifting artificial turffor collection. In an implementation, the stabilizing finger 1534includes a tip having a tapered shape, which can assist the stabilizingfinger 1534 to position itself below a length of artificial turf. Thestabilizing finger 1534 may be aligned substantially parallel to theturf roller 1532. The stabilizing finger 1534 may also or instead beattached to an exterior of the turf roller 1532.

One or more of the first collector 1530 and the second collector 1540may also or instead include a plurality of fingers (e.g., as shown inFIG. 16).

In an implementation, the first collector 1530 and the second collector1540 are substantially the same. In another implementation, the firstcollector 1530 and the second collector 1540 include differentcomponents or features, or are sized and shaped differently relative toone another.

The turf collection machine 1500 may further include one or more motorsor the like, e.g., for moving or driving one or more of its components.For example, the turf collection machine 1500 may include a first motor1508 for driving rotation of one or more of the first collector 1530 andthe second collector 1540. The turf collection machine 1500 may also orinstead include a second motor 1509 to drive movement of one or more ofthe first arm 1510 and the second arm 1520, e.g., between the firstposition and the second position. In an implementation, the first motor1508 and the second motor 1509 are the same motor. In anotherimplementation, the first motor 1508 and the second motor 1509 areseparate motors. The turf collection machine 1500 may further include athird motor 1511 for adjusting the extension 1514 of one or more of thefirst arm 1510 and the second arm 1520.

The turf collection machine 1500 may also include a bracket 1570 forengagement of each of the first arm 1510 and the second arm 1520 withthe rear shaft 1504, where the bracket 1570 is structurally configuredto provide structural stability for the frame 1502. The bracket 1570 maybe collapsible, allowing the first arm 1510 and the second arm 1520 tocollapse upon the rear shaft 1504 such that the turf collection machine1500 is disposed in a stowed position.

The turf collection machine 1500 may further include a reel 1560 forwinding cabling or the like (e.g., hydraulic lines), where the cablingis attached to one or more motors, linear actuators, or the like.

The frame 1502 may include a coupling 1550 or the like that isstructurally configured for engagement with a vehicle, e.g., for towingor propelling the turf collection machine 1500.

The turf collection machine 1500 may include a roller motor (e.g., thefirst motor 1508 and the second motor 1509) in communication with one ormore of the first collector 1530 and the second collector 1540. In animplementation, the turf collection machine 1500 includes a roller motorfor each of the first collector 1530 and the second collector 1540. Theroller motor may be in communication with one or more of the firstcollector 1530 and the second collector 1540 for driving rotation of oneor more of the first collector 1530 and the second collector 1540. Anoperator may utilize a controller 1582, such as any as described herein,for controlling operation of the turf collection machine 1500 and itscomponents, e.g., one or more of the first collector 1530 and the secondcollector 1540, e.g., through control of the roller motor.

FIG. 16 illustrates a front perspective view of a turf collectionmachine, in accordance with a representative embodiment. The turfcollection machine 1600 shown in FIG. 16 may be similar to thatdescribed with reference to FIG. 15, but the turf collection machine1600 includes a plurality of fingers 1680 on the collectors 1630 insteadof a turf roller. The turf collection machine 1600 may also lack a hingeor the like on the rear shaft 1604. As shown in FIG. 16, the turfcollection machine 1600 may be driven, e.g., pulled, by a tractor 1690or the like.

FIG. 17 illustrates a side perspective views of a system for cuttingartificial turf, in accordance with a representative embodiment. FIG. 18illustrates a rear view of an apparatus for cutting artificial turf, inaccordance with a representative embodiment. FIG. 19 illustrates a topside perspective view of a system for cutting artificial turf, inaccordance with a representative embodiment. Thus, FIG. 17 shows asystem 1700 for cutting artificial turf, and FIGS. 18 and 19 showdifferent views of a cutting apparatus 1701 that may be featured in thesystem 1700 of FIG. 17.

The system 1700 may be configured for cutting an artificial turf fieldinto strips to facilitate its removal. As discussed herein, theartificial turf may be removed by the system 1700 from any padding orother layers disposed beneath the artificial turf without causing anydamage to (or minimizing damage to) any such layers. The turf may alsoor instead be removed by the system 1700 such that the resulting stripsof turf have substantially straight edges along cuts. The system 1700may also or instead be configured for cutting the artificial turf in amanner that can facilitate its reuse, e.g., cutting the artificial turfinto strips having a predetermined width selected for reuse.

As opposed to many systems of the prior art, the system 1700 may cut theartificial turf from below, e.g., between a layer of artificial turf anda base layer disposed beneath the layer of artificial turf.

The system 1700 may include one or more devices for cutting artificialturf, e.g., cutting devices. More specifically, and as shown in FIG. 17,the system 1700 may include a first cutting device 1702 and a secondcutting device 1704. In an implementation, each of the first cuttingdevice 1702 and the second cutting device 1704 is substantially thesame. In another implementation, the first cutting device 1702 and thesecond cutting device 1704 are different.

The one or more devices for cutting artificial turf may include anelongated body 1706 having a first end 1708, a second end 1710, a topsurface 1712, and a bottom surface 1714. The first end 1708 may be thefront end of the cutting device, and the second end 1710 may be the backend of the cutting device. The elongated body 1706 may be made of ametal, e.g., steel. The elongated body 1706 may be one piece, e.g.,formed from one piece of material or multiple pieces of material thatare permanently connected together.

The first end 1708 of the cutting device may be structurally configuredfor both (i) separating a layer of artificial turf from a base layerdisposed beneath the layer of artificial turf and (ii) directing thelayer of artificial turf onto the top surface 1712 of the elongated body1706 for cutting, e.g., when the cutting device is moved in a cuttingdirection beneath the layer of artificial turf (the cutting direction isshown by arrow 1718 in the figure). To this end, the cutting device mayinclude an inclined surface 1716 formed between the bottom surface 1714and the top surface 1712 on at least the first end 1708 of the elongatedbody 1706. The inclined surface 1712 may thus be structurally configuredfor separating the layer of artificial turf from the base layer anddirecting the layer of artificial turf onto the top surface 1712 of theelongated body 1706 when the cutting device is moved in a cuttingdirection beneath the layer of artificial turf.

The inclined surface 1716 may include a front edge 1720 that issubstantially flat as shown in the figure. A substantially flat, blunt,or substantially squared front edge 1720 may aid in separating the layerof artificial turf from the base layer, acting as a spatula-like orwedge -like component for separating the layers. Also, a substantiallyflat, blunt, or substantially squared front edge 1720 may prevent thecutting device from puncturing through a layer of artificial turf or abase layer. In an alternate embodiment, a front edge of the inclinedsurface is tapered, e.g., coming to a point.

The base layer disposed beneath the layer of artificial turf may includewithout limitation one or more of padding, a leveling layer, a drainagelayer, and the like. The base layer disposed beneath the layer ofartificial turf may also or instead include a ground surface (e.g.,dirt, grass, pavement, gravel, and the like) disposed underneath of thelayer of artificial turf.

The one or more devices for cutting artificial turf may include one ormore cutters. Specifically, in an implementation, the cutting device mayinclude a first cutter 1730 and a second cutter 1740. The one or morecutters may generally be configured to cut the layer of artificial turfinto strips, e.g., strips between about 3 feet through about 10 feet inwidth. The one or more cutters may also be configured to cut the layerof artificial turf in substantially straight lines, thereby facilitatingits reuse.

The first cutter 1730 may be disposed upstream from the first end 1708(e.g., where ‘upstream’ is the direction from the first end 1708 towardthe second end 1710 of the cutting device) on the top surface 1712 ofthe elongated body 1706 between the first end 1708 and the second end1710. The first cutter 1730 may be disposed closer to the second end1710 of the elongated body 1706 than the first end 1708. In anotherimplementation, the first cutter 1730 is disposed substantiallycentrally along the length of the elongated body 1706. In yet anotherimplementation, the first cutter 1730 is disposed closer to the firstend 1708 of the elongated body 1706 than the second end 1710 of theelongated body 1706. The first cutter 1730 may be disposed relativelynear (e.g., adjacent to) the second cutter 1740 as shown in the figure.

The first cutter 1730 may include a first cutting edge 1732 facing thefirst end 1708 of the elongated body 1706. The first cutting edge 1732may be the only cutting edge on the first cutter 1730, or the firstcutting edge 1732 may be one of a plurality of cutting edges on thefirst cutter 1730.

The first cutter 1730 may include a second cutting edge 1734 on a topportion thereof. The second cutting edge 1734 may be the only cuttingedge on the first cutter 1730, or the second cutting edge 1734 may beone of a plurality of cutting edges on the first cutter 1730. In animplementation, the first cutter 1730 includes both the first cuttingedge 1732 and the second cutting edge 1734 as shown in the figure. Morecutting edges are also possible.

One or more of the first cutting edge 1732 and the second cutting edge1734 may include a plurality of serrations or the like. One or more ofthe first cutting edge 1732 and the second cutting edge 1734 may insteadbe entirely without serrations.

In an implementation, the first cutter 1730 is removably attached to theelongated body 1706. The first cutter 1730 may be removably attached tothe elongated body 1706 to provide for ease in cleaning, sharpening,repairing, or replacing the first cutter 1730. To facilitate a removableengagement with the elongated body 1706, the first cutter 1730 mayinclude one or more holes for cooperating with pins, bolts, or the likeengaged with the elongated body 1730. The first cutter 1730 may also orinstead be removably attached to the elongated body 1706 via other meanssuch as a friction fit, a snap connection, a clamp, a clip, a latch, ascrew, and combinations thereof.

In another implementation, the first cutter 1730 is permanently attachedto the elongated body 1706, e.g., it is integral with the elongated body1706. For example, the first cutter 1730 may be welded in place on theelongated body 1706.

The first cutter 1730 may be substantially stationary relative to theelongated body 1706 when cutting the layer of artificial turf. In otherwords, the first cutter 1730 may not move, or contain any moving parts,relative to the elongated body 1706 or other parts of the system 1700.In this manner, the first cutter 1730 may differ from rotary blades andthe like of the prior art that cut the artificial turf from above.Cutting the layer of artificial turf from below may cause less damage toany padding or matting included underneath the layer of artificial turf.

As stated above, the cutting device may include second cutter 1740. Thesecond cutter 1740 may be disposed upstream from the first cutter 1730(e.g., where ‘upstream’ is the direction toward the second end 1710 ofthe cutting device) on the top surface 1712 of the elongated body 1706between the first end 1708 and the second end 1710.

The second cutter 1740 may include a separating edge 1742 facing thefirst end 1708 of the elongated body 1706. The second cutter 1740 may bestructurally configured for cutting portions of the layer of artificialturf not cut by the first cutter 1730. More specifically, the separatingedge 1742 of the second cutter 1740 may be structurally configured forcutting portions of the layer of artificial turf not cut by the firstcutter 1730. To this end, the separating edge 1742 of the second cutter1740 may not need to be relatively sharp. In other words, in animplementation, the separating edge 1742 of the second cutter 1740 maybe substantially blunt relative to the first cutting edge 1732 of thefirst cutter 1730.

The second cutter 1740 may be taller than the first cutter 1730, i.e.,as measured from the top surface 1712 of the elongated body 1706. Thismay be because the second cutter 1740 is configured for cutting portionsof the layer of artificial turf not cut by the first cutter 1730 becausethese portions of the artificial turf may have ‘jumped’ over the cuttingedges of the first cutter 1730. Additionally, and as described in moredetail below, the cutting devices may be configured for engaging with aframe 1750 in implementations. In one such implementation, the secondcutter 1740 may serve as a physical stop for positioning the cuttingdevice for engagement with the frame 1750, e.g., insertion into a cavityof the frame 1750.

The second cutter 1740 may be integral with the elongated body 1706. Inan implementation, the second cutter 1740 is an extension of thematerial of the elongated body 1706. In an implementation, the secondcutter 1740 is otherwise permanently engaged with the elongated body1706, e.g., through welding or the like. In another implementation, thesecond cutter 1740 is removably attached to the elongated body 1706.

As described herein, the cutting devices may be moved in a cuttingdirection beneath the layer of artificial turf. In an implementation,the cutting direction is configured to be aligned with a direction offibers included on the layer of artificial turf. This may facilitateease in cutting the layer of artificial turf.

The cutting devices described herein, e.g., the first cutting device1702 and the second cutting device 1704, may be engaged with a frame1750 as part of the system 1700. The frame 1750 may be the same orsimilar to any other frames as described herein, e.g., with reference tothe turf collection machines described herein.

The frame 1750 may include a rear shaft 1752. The frame 1750 may furtherinclude a first arm 1754 and a second arm 1756 engaged with the rearshaft 1750, where the second arm 1756 is disposed opposite from thefirst arm 1754. The first cutting device 1702 may be disposed on thefirst arm 1754 and the second cutting device 1704 may be disposed on thesecond arm 1756. Each of the first cutting device 1702 and the secondcutting device 1704 may include an elongated body 1706 having a firstend 1708, a second end 1710, a top surface 1712, and a bottom surface1714. Each of the first cutting device 1702 and the second cuttingdevice 1704 may further include an inclined surface 1716 formed betweenthe bottom surface 1714 and the top surface 1712 on the first end 1708of the elongated body 1706, where the inclined surface 1716 isstructurally configured for separating a layer of artificial turf from abase layer disposed beneath the layer of artificial turf and fordirecting the layer of artificial turf onto the top surface 1712 of theelongated body 1706 when the first cutting device 1702 and the secondcutting device 1704 are moved in a cutting direction beneath the layerof artificial turf. Each of the first cutting device 1702 and the secondcutting device 1704 may further include a first cutter 1730 disposedupstream from the inclined surface 1716 on the top surface 1712 of theelongated body 1706 between the first end 1708 and the second end 1710,where the first cutter 1730 comprises a first cutting edge 1732 facingthe first end 1708 of the elongated body 1706. Each of the first cuttingdevice 1702 and the second cutting device 1704 may further include asecond cutter 1740 disposed upstream from the first cutter 1730 on thetop surface 1712 of the elongated body 1706 between the first end 1708and the second end 1710, where the second cutter 1740 comprises aseparating edge 1742 facing the first end 1708 of the elongated body1706.

In an implementation, the first cutting device 1702 may be removablyattached to the first arm 1754 and the second cutting device 1704 may beremovably attached to the second arm 1756. Attachment of the cuttingdevices to the arms of the frame 1750 may be through insertion of thearms into a cavity 1758 in the ends of the arms of the frame 1750. Forexample, in an implementation, the second end 1710 of each of the firstcutting device 1702 and the second cutting device 1704 may bestructurally configured for insertion into a cavity 1758 disposed on anend of each of the first arm 1754 and the second arm 1756. Pins or thelike may secure the position of the cutting devices on the arms of theframe 1750. Attachment of the cutting devices to the arms of the frame1750 may also or instead be through any means known in the art, such asfriction fits, clamps, screws, and the like.

The first arm 1754 and the second arm 1756 may be movable. For example,the first arm 1754 and the second arm 1756 may be movable between afirst position in which the first arm 1754 and the second arm 1756 aredisposed a first distance apart from one another along a length of therear shaft 1752 and a second position in which the first arm 1754 andthe second arm 1756 are disposed a second distance apart from oneanother along the length of the rear shaft 1752, where the seconddistance is greater than the first distance. In an implementation, thefirst distance is less than or equal to about 102 inches. In animplementation, the second distance is greater than or equal to about120 inches.

In an implementation, each of the first arm 1754 and the second arm 1756is movable substantially linearly along the length of the rear shaft1752. Linear movement of each of the first arm 1754 and the second arm1756 may be provided by one or more linear actuators or the like. In animplementation, each of the first arm 1754 and the second arm 1756 isengaged with the rear shaft 1752 by insertion into a cavity of the rearshaft 1752, where linear movement of each of the first arm 1754 and thesecond arm 1756 is disposed along a longitudinal axis 1770 of the rearshaft 1752.

In an implementation, each of the first arm 1754 and the second arm 1756is movable via a folding motion, a pivoting motion, or the like. Forexample, each of the first arm 1754 and the second arm 1756 may beengaged with the rear shaft 1752 via a hinged connection, where each ofthe first arm 1754 and the second arm 1756 is movable from the firstposition to the second position by a swinging movement using the hingedconnection.

In an implementation, each of the first arm 1754 and the second arm 1756include an extension or the like that is adjustable along an axis thatintersects a longitudinal axis of the rear shaft 1752 for moving thefirst cutting device 1702 and the second cutting device 1704 relative tothe rear shaft 1752. Adjustment of the extension may be provided by oneor more linear actuators.

The system 1700 may further include a bracket or the like configured toengage of each of the first arm 1754 and the second arm 1756 with therear shaft 1752, where the bracket is structurally configured to providestructural stability for the frame 1750.

The frame 1750 may further include a coupling 1760 structurallyconfigured for engagement with a vehicle 1780 for towing or propellingthe system 1700.

As referenced above, devices and machines described herein may be partof a system for removing, recycling, and reusing artificial turf and itsinfill. The system may include without limitation one or more of thefollowing: (i) a cutter for cutting artificial turf such as thosedescribed above; (ii) a machine such as those described above forextracting infill from artificial turf; (iii) a collection system forinfill extracted from artificial turf such as the subsystems describedabove; (iv) a machine for collecting lengths of artificial turf in whichthe infill has been removed such as those described above; (v) a machinefor collecting lengths of artificial turf with infill; (vi) a gradingmachine; (vii) a device for finishing a field of artificial turf withinfill; and (viii) a device for grooming artificial turf, e.g., groomingrepairs in artificial turf so that they appear seamless or otherwiseuniform with the remainder of the artificial turf.

An implementation may include a machine for extracting infill fromartificial turf, including: a first conveyor forming an inclined surfacebetween a first end of the machine and a second end of the machine, thefirst conveyor including one or more tracks movable along the inclinedsurface from the first end of the machine to the second end of themachine, the one or more tracks structurally configured to engage alength of artificial turf and to move the length of artificial turf fromthe first end of the machine to the second end of the machine. Themachine may also include a rake disposed on the first end of the machineand including one or more teeth structurally configured to engage anunderside of the length of artificial turf for feeding the length ofartificial turf onto the first conveyer. The machine may also include afirst roller disposed above the first conveyor, the first roller movableto apply a downward force to a top surface of the first conveyor, thedownward force promoting an engagement of the artificial turf and theone or more tracks when the artificial turf is disposed between thefirst roller and the first conveyor. The machine may also include asecond roller disposed on the second end of the machine, the secondroller configured to rotatably engage the length of artificial turfbeing transported by the first conveyor, the second roller including oneor more protrusions that agitate the length of artificial turf forassisting in removing infill from the length of artificial turf. Themachine may also include a second conveyor disposed beneath the secondroller to receive infill removed from the length of artificial turf, thesecond conveyor including a surface structurally configured to transportthe infill for discharge from the machine.

Implementations may include one or more of the following features. Themachine where a width of the first conveyor is selected to accommodateengagement with a length of artificial turf having a width of at leastabout 12 feet. The machine where the second positioner is controllableto move the first roller to disengage from the top surface of the firstconveyor when the length of artificial turf remains engaged with thefirst conveyor without the downward force being applied to the topsurface of the first conveyor. The machine where the second positioneris controllable to move the first roller along a length of the firstconveyor between the first end of the machine and the second end of themachine. The machine where the one or more tracks of the first conveyorare disposed on one or more chains, where rotation of the one or morechains by a drive gear causes movement of the one or more tracks fromthe first end of the machine to the second end of the machine. Themachine where the inclined surface of the first conveyor includes anangle of about 30 degrees relative to a horizontal axis disposed throughthe machine. The machine further comprising a depositor engaged with thethird conveyor at the second height. The machine further including flapsfor directing infill onto the second conveyor. The machine furtherincluding a control station comprising the controller. The machine wherethe one or more wheels comprise continuous tracts. The machine furtherincluding one or more receiving areas including a holder structurallyconfigured for engagement with a container for holding infill dischargedfrom the machine, the holder including one or more arms movable from afirst position to hold the container in a receiving posture foraccepting infill and a second position to release the container. Themachine where the one or more receiving areas include at least tworeceiving areas such that at least one holder is in the first positionfor accepting infill discharged from the machine while another holder isin the second position for releasing the container with a desired amountof infill.

An implementation may include a machine for collecting lengths ofartificial turf having a frame including a rear shaft. The machine mayalso include a first arm and a second arm engaged with the rear shaft,the second arm disposed opposite the first arm, where the first arm andthe second arm are movable between a first position in which the firstarm and the second arm are disposed a first distance apart from oneanother along a length of the rear shaft and a second position in whichthe first arm and the second arm are disposed a second distance apartfrom one another along the length of the rear shaft, the second distancebeing greater than the first distance. The machine may also include afirst collector disposed on the first arm and a second collectordisposed on the second arm, the first collector and the second collectorindependently rotatable on the frame. The machine may also include afirst motor for driving rotation of one or more of the first collectorand the second collector.

Implementations may include one or more of the following features. Themachine where the first collector and the second collector each includea turf roller and a stabilizing finger, the turf roller structurallyconfigured for artificial turf to be wrapped about the turf roller whenone or more of the first collector and the second collector are rotatedand artificial turf is engaged with one or more of the first collectorand the second collector, and the stabilizing finger structurallyconfigured for artificial turf to be folded about the stabilizing fingerfor engagement of the artificial turf with the turf roller. The machinewhere the turf roller includes a substantially cylindrical tube. Themachine where the substantially cylindrical tube includes a diameterthat is greater than about 3 inches. The machine where the stabilizingfinger is positioned on the first collector and the second collector forlifting up artificial turf for collection. The machine where thestabilizing finger includes a tip having a tapered shape. The machinewhere the stabilizing finger is aligned substantially parallel to theturf roller. The machine where the stabilizing finger is attached to anexterior of the turf roller. The machine where the first collector andthe second collector each include a plurality of fingers. The machinewhere each of the first arm and the second arm is movable substantiallylinearly along the length of the rear shaft. The machine where linearmovement of each of the first arm and the second arm is provided by oneor more linear actuators. The machine where each of the first arm andthe second arm is engaged with the rear shaft by insertion into a cavityof the rear shaft, and where linear movement of each of the first armand the second arm is disposed along a longitudinal axis of the rearshaft. The machine further including a second motor to drive movement ofone or more of the first arm and the second arm between the firstposition and the second position. The machine where the first motor andthe second motor are the same motor. The machine where the first motorand the second motor are separate motors. The machine where each of thefirst arm and the second arm is engaged with the rear shaft via a hingedconnection, and where each of the first arm and the second arm ismovable from the first position to the second position by a swingingmovement using the hinged connection. The machine where the firstdistance is less than or equal to about 102 inches. The machine wherethe second distance is greater than or equal to about 120 inches. Themachine further including a bracket for engagement of each of the firstarm and the second arm with the rear shaft, the bracket structurallyconfigured to provide structural stability for the frame. The machinewhere each of the first arm and the second arm include an extension thatis adjustable along an axis that intersects a longitudinal axis of therear shaft for moving the first collector and the second collectorrelative to the rear shaft. The machine where adjustment of theextension is provided by one or more linear actuators. The machine wherethe frame includes a coupling structurally configured for engagementwith a vehicle for towing or propelling the machine. The machine furtherincluding a reel for winding cabling attached to one or more motors orlinear actuators.

An implementation may include a device for cutting artificial turf,including: an elongated body having a first end, a second end, a topsurface, and a bottom surface. The device may also include an inclinedsurface formed between the bottom surface and the top surface on atleast the first end of the elongated body, the inclined surfacestructurally configured for separating a layer of artificial turf from abase layer disposed beneath the layer of artificial turf and fordirecting the layer of artificial turf onto the top surface of theelongated body when the device is moved in a cutting direction beneaththe layer of artificial turf. The device may also include a first cutterdisposed upstream from the first end on the top surface of the elongatedbody, the first cutter including a first cutting edge facing the firstend of the elongated body. The device may also include a second cutterdisposed upstream from the first cutter on the top surface of theelongated body, the second cutter including a separating edge facing thefirst end of the elongated body.

Implementations may include one or more of the following features. Thedevice where the first cutter includes a second cutting edge on a topportion thereof The device where one or more of the first cutting edgeand the second cutting edge includes a plurality of serrations. Thedevice where the first cutter is removably attached to the elongatedbody. The device where the first cutter is substantially stationaryrelative to the elongated body when cutting the layer of artificialturf. The device where a front edge of the inclined surface issubstantially flat. The device where the separating edge of the secondcutter is substantially blunt relative to the first cutting edge of thefirst cutter. The device where the separating edge of the second cutteris structurally configured for cutting portions of the layer ofartificial turf not cut by the first cutter. The device where the secondcutter is taller than the first cutter. The device where the secondcutter is integral with the elongated body. The device where the cuttingdirection is configured to be aligned with a direction of fibersincluded on the layer of artificial turf.

An implementation may include a system for cutting artificial turfhaving a frame including a rear shaft. The system may also include afirst arm and a second arm engaged with the rear shaft, the second armdisposed opposite the first arm; and a first cutting device disposed onthe first arm and a second cutting device disposed on the second arm.Each of the first cutting device and the second cutting device mayinclude: an elongated body having a first end, a second end, a topsurface, and a bottom surface; an inclined surface formed between thebottom surface and the top surface on at least the first end of theelongated body, the inclined surface structurally configured forseparating a layer of artificial turf from a base layer disposed beneaththe layer of artificial turf and for directing the layer of artificialturf onto the top surface of the elongated body when the first cuttingdevice and the second cutting device are moved in a cutting directionbeneath the layer of artificial turf; a first cutter disposed upstreamfrom the first end on the top surface of the elongated body, the firstcutter including a first cutting edge facing the first end of theelongated body; and a second cutter disposed upstream from the firstcutter on the top surface of the elongated body, the second cutterincluding a separating edge facing the first end of the elongated body.

Implementations may include one or more of the following features. Thesystem where the first cutting device is removably attached to the firstarm and the second cutting device is removably attached to the secondarm. The system where the second end of each of the first cutting deviceand the second cutting device is structurally configured for insertioninto a cavity disposed on an end of each of the first arm and the secondarm. The system where the first arm and the second arm are movablebetween a first position in which the first arm and the second arm aredisposed a first distance apart from one another along a length of therear shaft and a second position in which the first arm and the secondarm are disposed a second distance apart from one another along thelength of the rear shaft, the second distance being greater than thefirst distance. The system where each of the first arm and the secondarm is movable substantially linearly along the length of the rearshaft. The system where linear movement of each of the first arm and thesecond arm is provided by one or more linear actuators. The system whereeach of the first arm and the second arm is engaged with the rear shaftby insertion into a cavity of the rear shaft, and where linear movementof each of the first arm and the second arm is disposed along alongitudinal axis of the rear shaft. The system where each of the firstarm and the second arm is engaged with the rear shaft via a hingedconnection, and where each of the first arm and the second arm ismovable from the first position to the second position by a swingingmovement using the hinged connection. The system where the firstdistance is less than or equal to about 102 inches. The system where thesecond distance is greater than or equal to about 120 inches. The systemwhere each of the first arm and the second arm include an extension thatis adjustable along an axis that intersects a longitudinal axis of therear shaft for moving the first cutting device and the second cuttingdevice relative to the rear shaft. The system where adjustment of theextension is provided by one or more linear actuators. The systemfurther including a bracket configured to engage each of the first armand the second arm with the rear shaft, the bracket configured toprovide structural stability for the frame. The system where the frameincludes a coupling structurally configured for engagement with avehicle for towing or propelling the system.

The above systems, devices, methods, processes, and the like may berealized in hardware, software, or any combination of these suitable fora particular application. The hardware may include a general-purposecomputer and/or dedicated computing device. This includes realization inone or more microprocessors, microcontrollers, embeddedmicrocontrollers, programmable digital signal processors or otherprogrammable devices or processing circuitry, along with internal and/orexternal memory. This may also, or instead, include one or moreapplication specific integrated circuits, programmable gate arrays,programmable array logic components, or any other device or devices thatmay be configured to process electronic signals. It will further beappreciated that a realization of the processes or devices describedabove may include computer-executable code created using a structuredprogramming language such as C, an object oriented programming languagesuch as C++, or any other high-level or low-level programming language(including assembly languages, hardware description languages, anddatabase programming languages and technologies) that may be stored,compiled or interpreted to run on one of the above devices, as well asheterogeneous combinations of processors, processor architectures, orcombinations of different hardware and software. In anotherimplementation, the methods may be embodied in systems that perform thesteps thereof, and may be distributed across devices in a number ofways. At the same time, processing may be distributed across devicessuch as the various systems described above, or all of the functionalitymay be integrated into a dedicated, standalone device or other hardware.In another implementation, means for performing the steps associatedwith the processes described above may include any of the hardwareand/or software described above. All such permutations and combinationsare intended to fall within the scope of the present disclosure.

Embodiments disclosed herein may include computer program productscomprising computer-executable code or computer-usable code that, whenexecuting on one or more computing devices, performs any and/or all ofthe steps thereof. The code may be stored in a non-transitory fashion ina computer memory, which may be a memory from which the program executes(such as random access memory associated with a processor), or a storagedevice such as a disk drive, flash memory or any other optical,electromagnetic, magnetic, infrared or other device or combination ofdevices. In another implementation, any of the systems and methodsdescribed above may be embodied in any suitable transmission orpropagation medium carrying computer-executable code and/or any inputsor outputs from same.

It will be appreciated that the devices, systems, and methods describedabove are set forth by way of example and not of limitation. Absent anexplicit indication to the contrary, the disclosed steps may bemodified, supplemented, omitted, and/or re-ordered without departingfrom the scope of this disclosure. Numerous variations, additions,omissions, and other modifications will be apparent to one of ordinaryskill in the art. In addition, the order or presentation of method stepsin the description and drawings above is not intended to require thisorder of performing the recited steps unless a particular order isexpressly required or otherwise clear from the context.

The method steps of the implementations described herein are intended toinclude any suitable method of causing such method steps to beperformed, consistent with the patentability of the following claims,unless a different meaning is expressly provided or otherwise clear fromthe context. So, for example performing the step of X includes anysuitable method for causing another party such as a remote user, aremote processing resource (e.g., a server or cloud computer) or amachine to perform the step of X. Similarly, performing steps X, Y, andZ may include any method of directing or controlling any combination ofsuch other individuals or resources to perform steps X, Y, and Z toobtain the benefit of such steps. Thus, method steps of theimplementations described herein are intended to include any suitablemethod of causing one or more other parties or entities to perform thesteps, consistent with the patentability of the following claims, unlessa different meaning is expressly provided or otherwise clear from thecontext. Such parties or entities need not be under the direction orcontrol of any other party or entity, and need not be located within aparticular jurisdiction.

It should further be appreciated that the methods above are provided byway of example. Absent an explicit indication to the contrary, thedisclosed steps may be modified, supplemented, omitted, and/orre-ordered without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

It will be appreciated that the methods and systems described above areset forth by way of example and not of limitation. Numerous variations,additions, omissions, and other modifications will be apparent to one ofordinary skill in the art. In addition, the order or presentation ofmethod steps in the description and drawings above is not intended torequire this order of performing the recited steps unless a particularorder is expressly required or otherwise clear from the context. Thus,while particular embodiments have been shown and described, it will beapparent to those skilled in the art that various changes andmodifications in form and details may be made therein without departingfrom the scope of this disclosure and are intended to form a part of thedisclosure as defined by the following claims, which are to beinterpreted in the broadest sense allowable by law.

The various representative embodiments, which have been described indetail herein, have been presented by way of example and not by way oflimitation. It will be understood by those skilled in the art thatvarious changes may be made in the form and details of the describedembodiments resulting in equivalent embodiments that remain within thescope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A machine for collecting lengths of artificialturf, comprising: a frame comprising a rear shaft; a first arm and asecond arm engaged with the rear shaft, the second arm disposed oppositethe first arm, where the first arm and the second arm are movablebetween a first position in which the first arm and the second arm aredisposed a first distance apart from one another along a length of therear shaft and a second position in which the first arm and the secondarm are disposed a second distance apart from one another along thelength of the rear shaft, the second distance being greater than thefirst distance; a first collector disposed on the first arm and a secondcollector disposed on the second arm, the first collector and the secondcollector independently rotatable on the frame; and a first motorcontrollable to drive rotation of one or more of the first collector andthe second collector.
 2. The machine of claim 1, where the firstcollector and the second collector each comprise a turf roller and astabilizing finger, the turf roller structurally configured forartificial turf to be wrapped about the turf roller when one or more ofthe first collector and the second collector are rotated and artificialturf is engaged with one or more of the first collector and the secondcollector, and the stabilizing finger structurally configured forartificial turf to be folded about the stabilizing finger for engagementof the artificial turf with the turf roller.
 3. The machine of claim 2,where the turf roller comprises a substantially cylindrical tube havinga diameter that is greater than about 3 inches.
 4. The machine of claim2, where the stabilizing finger is positioned on the first collector andthe second collector for lifting up artificial turf for collection. 5.The machine of claim 4, where the stabilizing finger comprises a tiphaving a tapered shape.
 6. The machine of claim 2, where the stabilizingfinger is aligned substantially parallel to the turf roller.
 7. Themachine of claim 6, where the stabilizing finger is attached to anexterior of the turf roller.
 8. The machine of claim 1, where the firstcollector and the second collector each comprise a plurality of fingers.9. The machine of claim 1, where each of the first arm and the secondarm is movable substantially linearly along the length of the rearshaft.
 10. The machine of claim 9, where linear movement of each of thefirst arm and the second arm is provided by one or more linearactuators.
 11. The machine of claim 9, where each of the first arm andthe second arm is engaged with the rear shaft by insertion into a cavityof the rear shaft, and where linear movement of each of the first armand the second arm is disposed along a longitudinal axis of the rearshaft.
 12. The machine of claim 1, further comprising a second motorcontrollable to drive movement of one or more of the first arm and thesecond arm between the first position and the second position.
 13. Themachine of claim 12, where the first motor and the second motor are thesame motor.
 14. The machine of claim 12, where the first motor and thesecond motor are separate motors.
 15. The machine of claim 1, where eachof the first arm and the second arm is engaged with the rear shaft via ahinged connection, and where each of the first arm and the second arm ismovable from the first position to the second position by a swingingmovement using the hinged connection.
 16. The machine of claim 1, wherethe first distance is less than or equal to about 102 inches, and wherethe second distance is greater than or equal to about 120 inches. 17.The machine of claim 1, further comprising a bracket for engagement ofeach of the first arm and the second arm with the rear shaft, thebracket structurally configured to provide structural stability for theframe.
 18. The machine of claim 1, where each of the first arm and thesecond arm comprise an extension that is adjustable along an axis thatintersects a longitudinal axis of the rear shaft for moving the firstcollector and the second collector relative to the rear shaft.
 19. Themachine of claim 1, where the frame comprises a coupling structurallyconfigured for engagement with a vehicle for towing or propelling themachine.
 20. The machine of claim 1, further comprising a reel forwinding cabling attached to one or more motors or linear actuators.